Trigonometry

The word “trigonometry” derived from

the Greek words “trigon” which means
triangle and “metron” which means measure.

It is defined as a branch of mathematics

that deals with the properties and relation of
sides and angles of a triangle.

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Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students are
expected to

➢ define the six trigonometric ratios;

➢ illustrate the six trigonometric ratios;
➢ identify the trigonometric ratio given the
parts of a right triangle;
➢ find the values of the six trigonometric
ratios; and
➢ illustrate and solve problems involving
trigonometric ratios.
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Trigonometric Ratios

The sides of a right triangle are related in

terms of the given acute angle. These
relationships of sides are called trigonometric
ratios. There are six trigonometric ratios which
are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant,
and cotangent.

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Trigonometric Ratios
Consider a right triangle with  as one of its acute angles.
The trigonometric ratios are defined as follows
(see Figure 1).

Figure 1 4
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6
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Trigonometric Ratios
The symbols we use for these ratios are abbreviations for
their full names: sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant,
cotangent.
Since any two right triangles with angle  are similar, these
ratios are the same, regardless of the size of the triangle;
the trigonometric ratios depend only on the angle 
(see Figure 2).

sin  = sin  =
Figure 2
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Example 1 – Finding Trigonometric Ratios
Find the six trigonometric ratios of the angle  in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Solution:

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Special Triangles
Certain right triangles have ratios that can be calculated
easily from the Pythagorean Theorem. Since they are used
frequently, we mention them here.

The first triangle is obtained by drawing a diagonal in a

square of side 1 (see Figure 5).

Figure 5

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Special Triangles

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Special Triangles
By the Pythagorean Theorem this diagonal has length .
The resulting triangle has angles 45, 45, and 90
(or  /4,  /4, and  /2).

To get the second triangle, we start with an equilateral

triangle ABC of side 2 and draw the perpendicular bisector
DB of the base, as in Figure 6.

Figure 6
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Special Triangles

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Special Triangles
By the Pythagorean Theorem the length of DB is
Since DB bisects angle ABC, we obtain a triangle with
angles 30, 60, and 90 (or  /6,  /3, and  /2).
We can now use the special triangles in Figures 5 and 6 to
calculate the trigonometric ratios for angles with measures
30, 45, and 60 (or  /6,  /4, and  /3).

Figure 5 Figure 6
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Special Triangles

Values of the trigonometric ratios for special angles

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Special Triangles
To find the values of the trigonometric ratios for other
angles, we use a calculator.

Mathematical methods (called numerical methods) used in

finding the trigonometric ratios are programmed directly
into scientific calculators.

Calculators give the values of sine, cosine, and tangent;

the other ratios can be easily calculated from these by
using the following reciprocal relations:

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Special Triangles
We follow the convention that when we write sin t, we mean
the sine of the angle whose radian measure is t.
For instance, sin 1 means the sine of the angle whose
radian measure is 1.
When using a calculator to find an approximate value for
this number, set your calculator to radian mode; you will
find that
sin 1  0.841471
If you want to find the sine of the angle whose measure
is 1, set your calculator to degree mode; you will find that
sin 1  0.0174524
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Applications of Trigonometry of Right Triangles

A triangle has six parts: three angles and three sides.

To solve a triangle means to determine all of its parts from

the information known about the triangle, that is, to
determine the lengths of the three sides and the measures
of the three angles.

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Example - Solution cont’d

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Math Drill cont’d

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Math Drill cont’d

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Math Drill cont’d

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Math Drill cont’d

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Math Drill
Refer to figure 7.21. Given the conditions, solve for the missing parts.

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Applications of Trigonometry of Right Triangles

To discuss the next example, we need some terminology. If

an observer is looking at an object, then the line from the
eye of the observer to the object is called the line of sight
(Figure 9).

Figure 9
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Applications of Trigonometry of Right Triangles

If the object being observed is above the horizontal, then

the angle between the line of sight and the horizontal is
called the angle of elevation.

If the object is below the horizontal, then the angle between

the line of sight and the horizontal is called the angle of
depression.

If the line of sight follows a physical object, such as an

inclined plane or a hillside, we use the term angle of
inclination.

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Example 4 – Finding the Height of a Tree
A giant redwood tree casts a shadow 532 ft long. Find the
height of the tree if the angle of elevation of the sun
is 25.7.

Solution:
Let the height of the tree be h.
From Figure 10 we see that

Definition of tangent

Figure 10

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Example 4 – Solution cont’d

h = 532 tan 25.7 Multiply by 532

= 532(0.48127) Use a calculator

 256

Therefore, the height of the tree is about 256 ft.

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